by Craig HarrisThe founder and leader (from 1938 to 1966) of influential Gospel quartet the Swan Silvertones, Reverand Claude Jeter played an essential role in the evolution of modern Gospel music. Primarily a tenor vocalist, Jeter helped to develop the smooth falsetto style that influenced such R&B vocalists as Al Green and Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. eter's silken vocals helped the Swan Silvertones to dominate the Gospel music charts in the late '40s and early '50s when they recorded for the King Records label and 1952 when they recorded for Specialty. In addition to soloing on such tunes as "I'm Coming Home" and "Motherless Child," he performed several duets with tenor vocalist Reverand Robert C. Crenshaw including "Trouble on My Way" and I'm a Rollin'." Jeter left the Swan Silvertones in 1966 to focus on his solo career and ministry.